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New Apple Keyboard Coming With iMac Refresh

AidenShaw said:
Some people prefer function over form - they're more concerned with the quality of the keyboard and its typing feel than about its appearance. A beautiful keyboard that feels like it's chiclet-based doesn't cut the mustard.

For example, that striking keyboard in the "transparent iMac mockup" (http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=78983&d=1184001796) would be brutal on the hands. The curvature is the reverse of all of the ergonomic keyboards like the Microsoft Natural. Nice for a museum design collection, horrible for the desk.

Keyboards should be designed first by ergonomic experts - then let the "fashionistas" like Ives put some bling on the design.


ps: If you'd looked at the picture, you would have noticed that it's a Logitech aftermarket keyboard.
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I really didn't know that you were serious but I do agree with you. The keyboard should be easy to use first. I think I had a rant on this thread about how I would die if Apple made a keyboard for a desktop out of laptop parts, that would be the worse than replacing a mouse with a track pad for the Mac Pro. I don't mind the current Apple keyboards at all. I think some of the people that hate them are too used to typing on whatever machine they currently use. MacBook user love the MacBook keyboard and MBP users love the MBP keyboard. I use both a MBP and Apple keyboard so I don't really care... as long as the keys aren't sticking I am happy.

I also agree with you on the mockup. I think the mouse and keyboard the guy rendered are terrible. The speakers look ridiculous as well. But having a controlled by the user, transparent 30" display and aluminum stand with the entire computer locked inside the round (stolen from G4) ball is the type of design I would love to have for some future iMac.

As for the keyboard. I just hope Apple doesn't take a step backward and give us something that is just a pain to type on, or is too small to be a desktop keyboard.

MonkeyClaw said:
i dont understand what the big deal is with the current apple keyboards. they are simple and type great. sure they may not be thin or have the wonderful media keys but does anyone really use those? oh well maybe im the only one that likes mine, hah.
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I am in that boat with you to man. I don't mind many keyboards... the worst one I have every typed on was this Dell one that was on every computer on my campus about 5 years ago. Before I had my first computer I had to use the computer labs and their keys stuck ALL THE TIME! Not to mention that the enter button, backspace, and shift key were just not in the right spot.

The Apple keyboards are pretty comfortable and I can type on them for hours without getting carpal tunnel that bad. Now that I found out that I can dishwash them I like them even more.
 
Media controls

I'd like to see some media controls integrated to the new keyboards. I can imagine a simple scroll wheel with just a few buttons - along the lines of the Apple Remote. yes, I know they will ship with the Apple Remote, but it is far less intuitive to reach for a remote when using a keyboard than to slide the hand across to a keyboard based control. See Logitech...

Backlighting would be sweet too. And yes the clear case has got to go
 
MonkeyClaw said:
i dont understand what the big deal is with the current apple keyboards. they are simple and type great. sure they may not be thin or have the wonderful media keys but does anyone really use those? oh well maybe im the only one that likes mine, hah.
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I like mine too... I also find the MacBook keyboard easy to type on. I used to make a few mistakes, but it really is the same spacing - unlike PC keyboards (for laptops). I made more mistakes on my mate's dell than on any of my Apple stuff (but I am not used to the Dell).

I would buy a MBP if I didn't prefer going on holiday and have bugger all funding to get one. Self-funding my computer has meant I sold my iMac recently and got a MB. Oh well.
 
Object-X said:
Frankly, I think you are in a minority. For the few folks who are buying Mac Pro's with Cinema displays, only a small percentage of those actually need an iSight camera. A lot of Cinema display buyers are using them with their MacBook Pros and thus already have a camera, and a number of Pro users don't need iSight in the display because of how they are using them; that leaves a small minority of users who use a Mac Pro and Cinema display who would otherwise want the camera. So, in my humble opinion Apple has chosen to wait rather than release an integrated camera in their existing displays.
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I beg to differ. A lot of Mac Pro users aren't just Professional's who use the computer only for work. In fact, some of my photographer friends who do use their Mac's for work also use them for entertainment and business. We both use our iSights to keep in touch, and some of my other business friends use their iSights for telecommuting and meetings. Another example, my friend wanted to show his work to clients using Front Row with the IR Remote on his Mac Pro, but as there is no IR sensor in the tower OR in the 30" Cinema Display he was at a loss.

Originally Posted by MrCrowbar
I don't think Apple will put a camera into the cinema displays. Most pros that have them have 2 next to each other, so haveing 2 iSights attached to one computer can be annoying... or extremely cool if the other person has a holographic display and can see you in 3d.
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A lot of people use iSights with their Mac Pro's, so having one built in to the display would make perfect sense. I'm certain that if two Cinema Displays were side by side with built in iSights, only one would function, canceling the other out. There could easily be a preference switch within iChat software or System Preferences in Leopard that would allow the user to select which iSight display to use.

The point is, when a consumer is spending close to $3,000 for a tower, and over $1500 for a display, why are they denied the same hardware as lower-end consumers? That's tantamount to someone walking into a BMW showroom and being told only the low end models have leather seats and airbags. Doesn't make sense Apple... :confused:
 
Fluoxetine said:
Well, if anyone could get away with charging $1200 for a keyboard, it'd be Apple...
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That's true. But don't forget that Art Lebedev's keyboard costs that much because its production is very limited. If you produce 1 million of those, the price would probably drop to something more real, like half the price of less and as a piece for complementing Mac Pro's.

The more you produce, the cheaper it gets.
 
Fuzilah said:
Art Lebedev Studio in Moscow has made the best keyboard in the world.
This is what I would like to see from Apple:

http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/demo/

See it for yourself. Common sense.
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It's also incredibly pointless. I really don't think people are going to care about switching from QWERTY to DVORAK when they don't use it. Shortcuts don't matter because most of time you know them by heart without looking.
 
Fuzilah said:
Art Lebedev Studio in Moscow has made the best keyboard in the world.
This is what I would like to see from Apple:

http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/demo/

See it for yourself. Common sense.
Click to expand...

Said it once before and I will say it again... what common person in this world is going to buy a $1200 KEYBOARD... computer yes... keyboard no! And it isn't that practically at all. The thing is obviously marketed to pros that have applications with a plethora of shortcuts that they will either memorize or pay a hundredth of the price for keycaps or replacement keys.
 
Digital Skunk said:
Said it once before and I will say it again... what common person in this world is going to buy a $1200 KEYBOARD... computer yes... keyboard no! And it isn't that practically at all. The thing is obviously marketed to pros that have applications with a plethora of shortcuts that they will either memorize or pay a hundredth of the price for keycaps or replacement keys.
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Not only 1500 US$ for a damn keyboard, but you're gonna have to wait until December 2007 for it to come from RUSSIA...trustworthy shopping? No, thanks.
 
I just bought a white Apple keyboard to replace my aging MS keyboard to type on the MBP. I think its a very nice keyboard to type on, but I can't wait to see what Apple has in store for us on this new keyboard. I may be buying it just to use with the MBP as well.
 
so there's people that would actually buy a macbook style keyboard for a macbook?
kinda silly if you ask me... but i always thought plugging a keyboard into something that had a built in keyboard was kind of an oxymoron.. a mouse i can see though

more than likely it will be a standard style apple keyboard but the tappers on the keys will be gone and there will be a border inbetween, plus backlighting and hopefully powered usb2 ports? i'd love to use my extra port for my ipod shuffle. maybe even a built in wireless usb hub... that would be sweet
 
verniesgarden said:
so there's people that would actually buy a macbook style keyboard for a macbook?
kinda silly if you ask me... but i always thought plugging a keyboard into something that had a built in keyboard was kind of an oxymoron.. a mouse i can see though

more than likely it will be a standard style apple keyboard but the tappers on the keys will be gone and there will be a border inbetween, plus backlighting and hopefully powered usb2 ports? i'd love to use my extra port for my ipod shuffle. maybe even a built in wireless usb hub... that would be sweet
Click to expand...

yes in fact, for people like me who use their mac laptops as desktops (external monitor, etc)
 
AidenShaw said:
I'd rather have a laptop with a desktop-inspired keyboard, than a desktop with a laptop-inspired keyboard.
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Likewise.

I still love my IBM keyboard because of the key feel. That thing is built like a tank.

Fuzilah said:
Art Lebedev Studio in Moscow has made the best keyboard in the world.
This is what I would like to see from Apple:

http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/demo/

See it for yourself. Common sense.
Click to expand...
Awesome looking keyboard.

But at $1,500, I doubt we will see it mainstream any time soon. Especially when you can get a regular keyboard for less than $10.

As time goes on and prices drop we may see something like this. But it will be a while before it would ever reach consumer pricing.

We got a new Vaio laptop for the office. Surprised how nice the chicklet keyboard feels. Not bad at all.
 
Marx55 said:
I only ask for ONE THING on the Apple Keyboard:

A POWER BUTTON!

That comes great when you have the Mac away of reach for noise or other reasons (PowerMac, Mac mini).

Please. Thanks.
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I agree. My Mac mini is the nosiest thing on this planet. Well, compared to a PC it is nothing, but it is a pretty loud machine compared to my iMac.

I agree though. I would love a power button on the keyboard. Reaching behind the back on my iMac is not fun.
 
koobcamuk said:
I like mine too... I also find the MacBook keyboard easy to type on. I used to make a few mistakes, but it really is the same spacing - unlike PC keyboards (for laptops). I made more mistakes on my mate's dell than on any of my Apple stuff (but I am not used to the Dell).

I would buy a MBP if I didn't prefer going on holiday and have bugger all funding to get one. Self-funding my computer has meant I sold my iMac recently and got a MB. Oh well.
Click to expand...

I absolutely love the MacBook keyboards. If they were to update the current keyboards (which I still don't think its really needed) I would be the first in line. But I mean, literally I switched over to Macs bout 2.5 years ago.

Before then I was a hardcore PC windows user since really the days of DOS. And by far my Apple Keyboard is the best one I have ever EVER used. Its quiet, comfy, simple and out of the way. I can't ask for anything more.
 
longofest said:
Very true. I hope they aren't thinking about reviving the original iMac keyboard. Although I still use it as my server's keyboard as it is nice as small (so it is easy to tuck away), it is horrendous to type on.
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My iMac's keyboard (just like yours) is horrendous to type on simply because the return/enter keys, shift keys, command key, control key, option key, space bar, caps lock key, and arrow keys don't work.
 
I hope the new keyboards come in different colours other than just white. Black or silver ones would be nice. Silver would nicely match my MBP.

Hopefully they also redesign the mighty mouse around the same time too. Again, black and silver models please!
 
Just curious... Could it be Mac Mini's substitute?

I mean... Mac Minis are long overdue for a refresh...

How cool would it be to just plug your screen to your keyboard, or insert a CD in it? I know, it's old (80s), but something like a screenless MacBook would be nice... I know if I had my laptop screen die outside warranty, I'd take it off, an use it with an external monitor...
 
jjd said:
I'd like to see some media controls integrated to the new keyboards. I can imagine a simple scroll wheel with just a few buttons - along the lines of the Apple Remote. yes, I know they will ship with the Apple Remote, but it is far less intuitive to reach for a remote when using a keyboard than to slide the hand across to a keyboard based control. See Logitech...

Backlighting would be sweet too. And yes the clear case has got to go
Click to expand...

Yep and some form of an in-built trackpad would be good too. Something like a touch screen interface with the possibility of cursor functions.

Come on Apple enough hype- more beef!
 
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